Abstract: A method and product produced by the method for forming an interactive information device with a conductively coated panel includes forming a reduced contrast increased light transmitting, conductively coated panel by providing a transparent substrate and applying a transparent, conductive layer on at least one surface of the substrate in a predetermined pattern with at least one area having a conductive layer thereon and a second area without a conductive layer. The method further includes applying a transparent layer of a metal oxide such that the metal oxide layer, such as silicon dioxide, overlies both areas whereby visible contrast between the areas is reduced and light transmission through the coated panel is increased. The coated panel is then attached to an electro-optic display for displaying information when electricity is applied thereto.

Abstract: An infrared energy oxidizing and/or curing process includes an infrared oxidation zone having an infrared energy source operable to emit infrared energy that oxidizes a conductive thin film deposited or established on a glass substrate to establish a light transmissive or transparent conductive thin film for manufacturing of a touch panel. Optionally, the infrared energy curing process provides an in-line infrared energy curing process that oxidizes the conductive thin film on the glass substrate as the glass substrate is moved past the infrared energy source. Optionally, the infrared energy curing process bonds a thick film silver frit electrode pattern to the conductively coated glass substrate. Optionally, the infrared energy curing process reduces the transparent conductive thin film.

Abstract: A method and product produced by the method for forming an interactive information device with a conductively coated panel includes forming a reduced contrast increased light transmitting, conductively coated panel by providing a transparent substrate and applying a transparent, conductive layer on at least one surface of the substrate in a predetermined pattern with at least one area having a conductive layer thereon and a second area without a conductive layer. The method further includes applying a transparent layer of a metal oxide such that the metal oxide layer, such as silicon dioxide, overlies both areas whereby visible contrast between the areas is reduced and light transmission through the coated panel is increased. The coated panel is then attached to an electro-optic display for displaying information when electricity is applied thereto.

Abstract: A capacitive touch screen suitable for use in an interactive information display includes a first transparent glass substrate having first and second surfaces and a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.3 millimeters, and a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces and a transparent conductive thin film disposed at the third surface thereof. The second surface of the first transparent glass substrate is laminated to the third surface of the second substrate in order to form a capacitive touch screen having enhanced durability. The transparent conductive thin film of the second substrate opposes the second surface of the first transparent glass substrate when the second surface of the first transparent glass substrate is laminated to the third surface of the second substrate.

Abstract: A method and product produced by the method for forming an interactive information device with a conductively coated panel includes forming a reduced contrast, increased light transmitting, conductively coated panel by providing a transparent substrate and applying a transparent, conductive layer on at least one surface of the substrate in a predetermined pattern with at least one area having a conductive layer thereon and a second area without a conductive layer. The method further includes applying a transparent layer of a metal oxide such that the metal oxide layer, such as silicon dioxide, overlies both areas whereby visible contrast between the areas is reduced and light transmission through the coated panel is increased. The coated panel is then attached to an electro-optic display for displaying information when electricity is applied thereto.

Abstract: An infrared energy oxidizing and/or curing process includes an infrared oxidation zone having an infrared energy source operable to emit infrared energy that oxidizes a conductive thin film deposited or established on a glass substrate to establish a light transmissive or transparent conductive thin film for manufacturing of a touch panel. Optionally, the infrared energy curing process provides an in-line infrared energy curing process that oxidizes the conductive thin film on the glass substrate as the glass substrate is moved past the infrared energy source. Optionally, the infrared energy curing process bonds a thick film silver frit electrode pattern to the conductively coated glass substrate. Optionally, the infrared energy curing process reduces the transparent conductive thin film.

Abstract: A capacitive touch screen suitable for use in an interactive information display includes a first transparent glass substrate having first and second surfaces and a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.3 millimeters, and a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces and a transparent conductive thin film disposed at the third surface thereof. The second surface of the first transparent glass substrate is laminated to the third surface of the second substrate in order to form a capacitive touch screen having enhanced durability. The transparent conductive thin film of the second substrate opposes the second surface of the first transparent glass substrate when the second surface of the first transparent glass substrate is laminated to the third surface of the second substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a touch screen that deposits a conductive layer or coating directly onto a surface of a sheet or ribbon or roll of thin glass material. The coated thin glass material may be cut to the desired shape or substrate for use as the outer, thin glass substrate of the touch screen device. Spacer elements and/or other functional coatings or layers or the like may also be applied to the conductive layer or opposite surface of the thin glass ribbon. Optionally, a functional coating or layer may be deposited or applied to a surface of a pre-cut thin glass substrate. The coated pre-cut thin glass substrate may be used as a top sheet for lamination as the protective top sheet of a touch screen device.

Abstract: A method and product produced by the method for forming an interactive information device with a conductively coated panel includes forming a reduced contrast, increased light transmitting, conductively coated panel by providing a transparent substrate and applying a transparent, conductive layer on at least one surface of the substrate in a predetermined pattern with at least one area having a conductive layer thereon and a second area without a conductive layer. The method further includes applying a transparent layer of a metal oxide such that the metal oxide layer, such as silicon dioxide, overlies both areas whereby visible contrast between the areas is reduced and light transmission through the coated panel is increased. The coated panel is then attached to an electro-optic display for displaying information when electricity is applied thereto.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a touch screen that deposits a conductive layer or coating directly onto a surface of a sheet or ribbon or roll of thin glass material. The coated thin glass material may be cut to the desired shape or substrate for use as the outer, thin glass substrate of the touch screen device. Spacer elements and/or other functional coatings or layers or the like may also be applied to the conductive layer or opposite surface of the thin glass ribbon. Optionally, a functional coating or layer may be deposited or applied to a surface of a pre-cut thin glass substrate. The coated pre-cut thin glass substrate may be used as a top sheet for lamination as the protective top sheet of a touch screen device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a touch screen that deposits a conductive layer or coating directly onto a surface of a sheet or ribbon or roll of thin glass material. The coated thin glass material may be cut to the desired shape or substrate for use as the outer, thin glass substrate of the touch screen device. Spacer elements and/or other functional coatings or layers or the like may also be applied to the conductive layer or opposite surface of the thin glass ribbon. Optionally, a functional coating or layer may be deposited or applied to a surface of a pre-cut thin glass substrate. The coated pre-cut thin glass substrate may be used as a top sheet for lamination as the protective top sheet of a touch screen device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a touch screen that deposits a conductive layer or coating directly onto a surface of a sheet or ribbon or roll of thin glass material. The coated thin glass material may be cut to the desired shape or substrate for use as the outer, thin glass substrate of the touch screen device. Spacer elements and/or other functional coatings or layers or the like may also be applied to the conductive layer or opposite surface of the thin glass ribbon. Optionally, a functional coating or layer may be deposited or applied to a surface of a pre-cut thin glass substrate. The coated pre-cut thin glass substrate may be used as a top sheet for lamination as the protective top sheet of a touch screen device.

Abstract: A method for making a reduced glare, conductive coated panel having increased visible light transmission and suitable for use as a touch screen, digitizer panel or a substrate in an information display includes forming a first transparent thin film layer on a first surface of a transparent substrate and a first transparent thin film layer on a second surface of the substrate by dipping the substrate in a liquid solution of a precursor for the thin film material at an angle to the vertical such that the layer of one side of the substrate has a thickness different from that on the opposite side, and applying a transparent electrically conductive coating over the thin film layer on at least one of the first and second surfaces. Preferably, the dipped substrate is fired at an elevated temperature prior to applying the transparent electrically conductive coating.

Abstract: A reduced glare, conductive coated panel having increased visible light transmission and suitable for use as a touch screen, digitizer panel or a substrate in an information display includes a transparent substrate, one or more thin film interference layers forming a thin film stack on each of the opposite surfaces of the substrate, and a transparent, electrically conductive coating on the outermost layer of one or both of the thin film stacks. The method preferably includes dipping the substrate in a solution of a precursor for the thin film material at an angle to the vertical and the surface of the solution such that the layer of one side of the substrate has a thickness different from that on the opposite side, curing the layers, and applying the transparent electrically conductive coating thereover.

Abstract: A conductively coated panel for inclusion in a transparent interactive input device useful with an electro-optic display includes a transparent substrate having a transparent, conductive layer on at least one surface. The conductive layer is applied in a predetermined pattern with at least one area having a conductive layer thereon and a second area without a conductive layer. A transparent layer of a metal oxide such as silicon dioxide overlies both areas whereby visible contrast between the areas is reduced and light transmission through the coated panel is increased. An interactive device, and a method for forming an interactive device with the conductively coated panel, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An interactive information device for use as a touch panel, touch screen, digitizer panel, or pen-input device, and a method for making such a device includes a first, transparent, electrically conductive layer supported by the rigid substrate, a flexible, transparent substrate at least partially aligned with the rigid substrate and having a second, transparent, electrically conductive layer on a surface thereof, the second conductive layer being spaced from the first conductive layer. A plurality of transparent insulating spacer members/dots are positioned on one or both of the conductive layers to allow the conductive layers to engage when the flexible substrate is pressed. The spacer members/dots comprise polymeric material including at least some inorganic material, and more preferably, comprise organic-inorganic nanocomposites having an index of refraction optically matched to the transparent, electrically conductive layer on which they are positioned.

Abstract: An interactive information device for use as a touch panel, touch screen, digitizer panel, or pen-input device, and a method for making such a device includes a first, transparent, electrically conductive layer supported by the rigid substrate, a flexible, transparent substrate at least partially aligned with the rigid substrate and having a second, transparent, electrically conductive layer on a surface thereof, the second conductive layer being spaced from the first conductive layer. A plurality of transparent insulating spacer members/dots are positioned on one or both of the conductive layers to allow the conductive layers to engage when the flexible substrate is pressed. The spacer members/dots comprise polymeric material including at least some inorganic material, and more preferably, comprise organic-inorganic nanocomposites having an index of refraction optically matched to the transparent, electrically conductive layer on which they are positioned.

Abstract: An interactive information device for use as a touch panel, touch screen, digitizer panel, or pen-input device, and a method for making such a device includes a first, transparent, electrically conductive layer supported by the rigid substrate, a flexible, transparent substrate at least partially aligned with the rigid substrate and having a second, transparent, electrically conductive layer on a surface thereof, the second conductive layer being spaced from the first conductive layer. A plurality of transparent insulating spacer members/dots are positioned on one or both of the conductive layers to allow the conductive layers to engage when the flexible substrate is pressed. The spacer members/dots comprise polymeric material including at least some inorganic material, and more preferably, comprise organic-inorganic nanocomposites having an index of refraction optically matched to the transparent, electrically conductive layer on which they are positioned.

Abstract: Processes for making a transparent substrate having a glare reducing diffuser surface coating on its surface are disclosed to provide a touchscreen or a faceplate such as for attachment to a screen for a cathode ray tube or other display device. Preferably, the faceplate has at least one of a gloss reading of less than about 80 gloss units, and a resolution of at least about 3 lines per millimeter. The method includes coating at least one layer of a precursor solution onto a functional coating provided on at least one surface of the substrate, and firing the layer to form the faceplate having a diffuser surface coating on the functional coated substrate. Preferably, the precursor solution at least comprises a metal oxide precursor dissolved in an organic solvent. Also, the firing preferably occurs at a temperature of at least 250° C. The functional coating is preferably provided as a transparent conductive coating.

Abstract: A transparent substrate having a glare reducing diffuser surface coating in which the coating has a thickness of less than about 3 microns. The diffuser surface coated substrate is bendable, overcoatable with functional coatings such as transparent conductor coatings, abrasion resistant, and generally serviceable for its intended use.